Two large street art installations have recently been completed in Ballina, one on Cherry Street and another between Winton Lane and River Street, together with some smaller works around the Northern Rivers Community Gallery.
The new public art was the result of Ballina Shire Council’s call for expressions of interest last year, and were made by the selected artists in consultation with neighbouring businesses, in a bid to beautify some grey walls, reduce graffiti, and generally brighten Ballina.
Artists include Kate Stroud, Tom Gerrard, Beki Davies, Gala Jane and Allan Leisk, with diverse styles and techniques on show.
The Echo spoke to Lismore-based sign writer, graphic artist and muralist Kate Stroud about her large scale work featuring ‘stamps’ of various styles and subjects at 33-34 Cherry Street Ballina (behind the main business shopfront there).
Celebrating place and space
Ms Stroud explained she submitted three concepts and one was accepted in October.
Her idea was then developed after meeting with Ballina Council’s Sustainability Planner Skye McNamara and the owner of the Bennett building, to discuss what they would like to see on the wall, along with the general feel and vibe.
She said her intention was to honour and celebrate place and space. ‘We spoke about the site’s historical significance, which was once a car yard. The only other thing they really wanted was the vintage surfing prawn!’
The mural consists of eleven smaller works, integrated by a striking prawn-inspired colour scheme and references to different Ballina eras and sub-cultures. ‘Yes, I decided to keep it simple and use a warm palette which used colours out of context, such as red waves,’ said Ms Stroud.
The mural is 85 square metres, and took an intense week to create, with the assistance on big days of fellow artist Kate Bradshaw, who also brought her sausage dog to help (see video below). Subjects include iconic holiday-makers, migrating humpbacks, Nyangbal pipi collection, the water slide, local banksias and surfing.
‘It is quite a long mural over two walls that aren’t flat, and the stamp idea seemed to be a way to ensure that the two walls had flow,’ said Ms Stroud.
‘The stamps are also a nod to being on holiday and the old tradition of sending postcards. The design also allowed for there to be multiple options to capture the little snippets of cultural significance that represent life in Ballina.’
A one-woman creative studio
Kate Stroud has five years of professional experience creating murals, with her work appearing in Lismore’s Back Alley Gallery, at Clunes Store, on the ‘play path’ between Keen Street and the Lismore Quad, and at many Northern Rivers businesses.
‘It was a natural progression from being a sign painter going hand in hand with the design and typography work I have been doing commercially for over ten years,’ she explained.
‘This mural was on the larger end of mural work I have done. It also had a quick timeline, given it was a council-led and funded program. It required the use of a scissor lift which is always fun as it was over 4 metres high!’
Other challenges includes three days of intense rain, which delayed the work, but she said it was a pleasure to bring some joy and brightness to this part of Ballina.
‘It was a wild experience! Painting murals in a public space is really rewarding, as you get exposed to people’s reactions in real time, and they get to come along on the process with you as it evolves over the days,’ said Ms Stroud. ‘The sweetest thing was the owners’ daughter came to help for an afternoon too.
‘Being the first of this scale of public art in Ballina, everyone was really excited, and I found that people were really joyful toward it. I love the process the most.’
New artistic horizons
Kate Stroud said she was happy to expand to new artistic horizons beyond Lismore. ‘I’ve had quite a lot of work in Ballina this last year; workshops and installation work at the Ballina Contemporary Art Market with the NRCG, The Australian Hotel Ballina and so on.
‘I think it’s only natural to expand further into the Northern Rivers and I was keen to take on opportunities beyond Lismore as it offers different growth, requirements and visions.’
Official postcards will soon be available featuring details of the mural, along with work by the other artists involved. ‘Yes, this is why this particular concept was attractive to Ballina Council and NRCG, as it offered the opportunity to expand beyond the wall,’ she said.
‘The power of public art to bring joy to spaces is really important. It has the power to positively impact our day to day.’
Have you seen the other new Ballina murals? What do you think?
‘Yes I have seen them all!’ said Ms Stroud. ‘Gala Jane and Beki Davies are two of my fave local artists and I always love their work.
‘I met Tom when we were sitting in the lobby at council to present our concepts to the panel. I knew his work but had never met him. We shared what we were bringing to the table that day as we waited. I liked that he had paper examples. Tom is lovely and I really dig his work.’
There’s a lot of humour in Kate Stroud’s work for people to enjoy, particularly in the details, such as the ibis with a packet of chips.
‘I like to be cheeky in art,’ she told The Echo. ‘It’s got to make people think, smile or feel challenged, this is the job of being an artist.’
With only two local businesses putting themselves up for consideration to Ballina Council to be canvases at the first round, Ms Stroud hopes that the new Ballina murals will show locals the potential for art to brighten otherwise unloved public spaces and discourage graffiti.
‘Yes, I hope that this shows that it can be diverse and engaging and worth the investment,’ she said.
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